Fu Qin's gaze turned cold, and his Spiritual Power erupted at full force. "Separate!"
The threads tightened instantly, binding the Soul-Devouring Demon Spider's remnant soul firmly in place.
A long, arduous struggle of Spiritual Power control began. Like the most meticulous craftsman, Fu Qin slowly peeled the Soul-Devouring Demon Spider's remnant soul away from Tang San's divine soul core. Each peel was accompanied by a violent tremor in Tang San's divine soul.
Tang San's consciousness watched as Fu Qin suddenly appeared, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. His good brother Fu Qin had come to save him!
But by now, he had no strength left to fight back. All he could do was watch Fu Qin work.
He could feel the gentle yet powerful Spiritual Power slowly repairing his damaged divine soul, and a trace of gratitude rose in his heart.
[Tang San Favorability +30, Current Favorability: 179] [Tang San's thoughts: Fu Qin really is my good brother! He's spending so much of his Spiritual Power to save me. When I become a god in the future, I'll at least get him a First-Level God's divine position!]
Fu Qin caught his thoughts, but a sly grin appeared in his heart.
Heh heh heh, he could keep the divine position. All Fu Qin wanted was for Tang San's sister-in-law to get into his bed someday.
Day after day passed. Fu Qin kept channeling his Spiritual Power, his face gradually paling as fine beads of sweat covered his forehead.
The Shrek Academy group stayed by his side without leaving. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong would occasionally wipe away his sweat with handkerchiefs, the worry in their eyes growing ever more intense.
Zhu Zhuqing stood nearby too. Watching Fu Qin's weakened yet unwavering figure, her fondness for him continued to grow.
This young man was not only powerful, but also deeply loyal. He was far more reliable than the likes of Tang San and Oscar.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun lay off to one side, watching Fu Qin save Tang San, their hearts a tangled mess.
They both hoped Tang San would end up a cripple, yet they had to admit that Fu Qin's actions made them feel ashamed of themselves.
Oscar, meanwhile, hid in a corner, his eyes shifting as he wondered what he was plotting.
Two and a half days later, when the last trace of the Soul-Devouring Demon Spider's remnant soul had been completely peeled away by the green vines, Fu Qin's eyes snapped open. He spat out a faint mist of blood.
He controlled the threads of Spiritual Power, completely merging the energy of the Solitary Bamboo into Tang San's body and filling the gap left by his third Soul Ring.
Just then, a faint golden light emerged from the Solitary Bamboo's energy. A palm-sized white Soul Bone slowly rose into the air. It was the Centennial Solitary Bamboo Torso Bone!
"An Soul Bone dropped too?" Fu Qin feigned surprise, but inside, he was overjoyed.
This hundred-year torso bone was indeed a treasure ordinary Soul Masters could only dream of finding. It could strengthen the body and stabilize Soul Power.
But for Tang San, it would do far more harm than good!
Tang San's body had been transformed by the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, and he was destined to absorb Soul Bones with far higher age limits in the future.
Although this hundred-year torso bone could temporarily stabilize his Soul Power, it would occupy the place meant for his torso bone.
"I've brought Buddha to the temple, so I might as well see him all the way inside." A barely perceptible smile tugged at Fu Qin's lips as he once again channeled his Spiritual Power, helping Tang San fuse with the hundred-year torso bone.
Tang San's consciousness felt a rich surge of Soul Power flow into his body, and a flash of elation crossed his eyes.
He had no idea what this energy was.
He only felt that Fu Qin was far too good to him. Not only had he saved his life, he had also transferred his own Soul Power to help him recover from his injuries.
[Tang San Favorability +50, Current Favorability: 229] [Tang San's thoughts: Fu Qin! I've decided—you're my brother! Once I recover, I'll give you all the best resources!]
Fu Qin completed the final step, his Spiritual Power utterly spent. Unable to hold himself up any longer, he fell backward.
"Brother Fu Qin!"
"Fu Qin!"
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong cried out at the same time, hurrying forward to catch him.
Xiao Wu held him tightly in her arms, her eyes red-rimmed and her voice choked with emotion. "Fu Qin, how are you? Don't scare me!"
Ning Rongrong reached out too, gently stroking Fu Qin's pale cheek, tears welling in her eyes. "Brother Fu Qin, wake up!"
[Ning Rongrong Favorability +20, Current Favorability: 247] [Xiao Wu Favorability +50, Current Favorability: 1130]
Flender and Zhao Wuji hurried over as well, their faces full of worry.
Before long,
Fu Qin weakly opened his eyes. Seeing everyone gathered around him, especially Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's worried faces, he managed a pale smile.
"Don't worry... I'm fine. I've just used up too much Spiritual Power." He paused, then looked at Flender.
" Tang San is out of danger. We were lucky with that Solitary Bamboo—it dropped a hundred-year torso bone. While I was helping Xiao San fuse his Soul Ring, it fused with him on its own. He'll probably wake up soon."
"A torso bone?!" Flender and the others' eyes went wide in shock.
Soul Bones were rare to begin with, and torso bones were treasures one could only hope to encounter! For any Soul Master, this was an incredible stroke of luck!
However,
seeing them stare as if they had seen a ghost,
Fu Qin was the only one who sneered inwardly.
A hundred-year torso bone?
It was a stroke of luck for an ordinary Soul Master, but for a monster like Tang San, who had Twin Martial Souls and carried the Mysterious Heaven Skill, this ordinary torso bone would only suppress his potential.
Of course,
by the time he realized something was wrong, it would be too late.
What Fu Qin wanted was to watch this child of destiny stray farther and farther from his destined path, until at last... he was doomed beyond redemption.
"Fu Qin, you really are the lucky star of Shrek Academy!" Flender was so moved that tears filled his eyes. At last, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, settled.
Zhao Wuji also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, if Tang San died in their care, Tang Hao would surely butcher them.
Fu Qin gave a slight nod, closed his eyes, and leaned against Xiao Wu as he began to recover his Spiritual Power.
He could feel the softness and warmth of Xiao Wu's embrace, as well as Ning Rongrong's gentle touch as she wiped away his sweat. He felt perfectly content.
Meanwhile, Tang San, lying on the ground, was slowly recovering his Soul Power. The energy of the hundred-year Solitary Bamboo and the power of the torso bone intertwined, gradually steadying his aura.
The midday sun shone warmly into the dormitory at Shrek Academy.
Fu Qin slowly opened his eyes. His head was still a little groggy, and the exhaustion from overexerting his Spiritual Power had yet to fade completely.
He moved his fingers. The first thing he noticed was a faint, sweet fragrance—the unique, grassy scent of Xiao Wu.
Looking down, he saw Xiao Wu leaning against the bed, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings as she breathed evenly and steadily. She had clearly kept watch over him for a long time and fallen asleep from exhaustion.
Her little hand still clutched his sleeve tightly, as if afraid he might disappear again. Sunlight fell across her peaceful face, tracing its soft contours and stirring a warm current in Fu Qin's heart.
He didn't disturb Xiao Wu's sweet dreams. He simply lay there in silence, though he still felt quite happy.
Just then, Fu Qin shifted slightly. Xiao Wu immediately noticed the movement. Her lashes fluttered, and her eyes snapped open.